Honda VFR800

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Honda VFR800
Manufacturer Honda
Also called Interceptor, Interceptor/ABS
Production 98-08
Engine 800cc
Sparkplug IMR9B-9H '02-08
CR9EH-9 '98-01
Battery YTX12-BS '98-01
YTZ12S '02-08
Front Tire 120/70-17 '98-01 , '02-08
Rear Tire 180/55-17 '98-01 , '02-08
Manuals Service Manual
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The Honda VFR800 is a motorcycle produced by Honda from 1998 to 2008.

The Honda VFR800 Interceptor is a motorcycle introduced by Honda Motor Company in 1998.

Before the introduction of the VFR800, the VFR in 750cc form had been considered by some to be the best all-round motorcycle money could buy. The original VFR750 was produced to follow the VF750, a machine with camshafts prone to failure. Accordingly, the VFR750 motor was engineered to be more durable.

From its first sales in 1986, the VFR750 scored highly on many tests and became the benchmark for machines in the sports-touring category. By 1997, however, some saw the bike as a bit staid. Both Triumph and Ducati had presented Honda with significant sports-touring competition, so Honda responded with the VFR800 in 1998.

1998 Honda VFR800 (5th generation).

Physical characteristics

It had a new, detuned and longer-stroke RC45 power plant rather than a development of the original VFR family line. Power and torque figures were up on the old model but the torque was the real improvement. From 6000rpm the rider is propelled on a steady wave right up to the 11750rpm red line.

The new bodywork covered a frame derived from the VTR1000 Firestorm. This incorporates the VFR trademark of a single-sided swing-arm pivoted in the rear of the crankcase, thereby using the engine as a stressed member of the frame. Handling is described by some as impeccably neutral.

The braking system departed from the normal front and rear independent arrangement and Honda fitted their DCBS (dual-combined braking system). In this system, squeezing the front brake lever applies pressure to four of the six front pistons. The rotational movement of the left caliper, when braking, actuates a secondary master cylinder which applies pressure to one of the rear pistons. The rear brake pedal is directly attached to the remaining two rear pistons and two front pistons. This arrangement irritated some but was praised—in some circles at least—for removing fork dive under heavy braking. When Honda released a new generation of VFR in 2002, the DCBS was modified to be less "linked". With the new DCBS, the front brake lever now activates five of the six front pistons and the rear brake pedal activates the two rear pistons and only one front piston. The secondary master cylinder (which is actuated by the rotational force of the front left caliper under braking) remained unchanged continuing to activate one rear piston.

Unlike its VFR predecessors, all VFR800 models use fuel injection instead of carburetors for fuel-air mixing. In 2000, Honda updated the fifth generation VFR with a catalytic converter, oxygen sensors and an EFI system that would enter closed-loop mode under highway (cruising) operation.

2006 Honda VFR800 (6th generation).

The sixth generation (RC46) began in 2002 and featured dual underseat exhausts and available ABS (antilock brakes) in addition to the DCBS. It was the first generation of VFR to feature chain-driven rather than gear-driven cams plus VTEC valve actuation technology. In contrast to the automotive version of VTEC, where the cam timing is changed to suit the engine RPM providing a broad spread of power, the simplified motorcycle version employs only 2 of the 4 valves per cylinder when operating at lower engine speeds. All 4 valves per cylinder are utilised above 7000 rpm. These changes were a bid by Honda to meet tightening noise and emissions standards in their home market and abroad. In 2006, Honda has lowered the VTEC activation threshold as the power delivery of the 2002-2005 VTEC models tended to dip slightly before the transition point. In the 2006 edition the VTEC engages at 6400 rpm and stops working when the rpm is back to 6100.

The sixth generation has some weaknesses too: The rectifier unit in early models was problematic and some electrical wiring was not thick enough to handle the currents of the headlight units. The stator on early models were not powerful enough to keep the bike from dying in stop-and-go traffic; Honda had a service campaign to install more powerful stators on all effected units. The rear sub-frame on some early models was prone to cracking as well (this was fixed in a recall). The starter-valves need to be synchronised to achieve better engine stability. Also the wiring for the front and rear oxygen sensors was also backwards on some bikes that were sold in Europe.

1998

1998 Honda VRF800FI



The VFR800FI'98 Interceptor was sold in 1998 in only one color: Italian Red. It had a pivotless frame and linked braking system. It also had an electronic fuel injection. The serial number began JH2RC460*WM000001.


2000

Catalytic convertors were added to the exhaust in 2000, as well as some other upgrades, including slimmer mirrors and an electric choke. Italian red was also replaced in 2000 with yellow, but it was once again the only available color in 2001.

2002

Frame Spar Cross-section comparison
2002 Honda VFR800 Rear wheel
2002 Honda VFR800 in Red
2002 Honda VFR800 in Red
2002 Honda VFR800 in Red
2002 Honda VFR800 in Red


In 2002 the Honda Interceptor 800 was completely redesigned.

  • Won 2002's World's Best Streetbike Shootout - Cycle World Magazine

2003

2003 Honda VRF800FI
2003 Honda VFR800 in Red
2003 Honda VFR800 in Red
2003 Honda VFR800 in Red
2003 Honda VFR800 in Red
2003 Honda Interceptor VFR800 in Silver
2003 Honda Interceptor VFR800 in Silver
2003 Honda Interceptor VFR800 in Silver
2003 Honda Interceptor VFR800 in Silver



  • Available colors: Red or Metallic Silver
  • Engine: 781cc DOHC liquid-cooled 90° V-4 with VTEC
  • Bore and stroke: 72.0 x 48.0 mm
  • Compression ratio: 11.6:1
  • Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed
  • Final drive: O-ring chain
  • Front suspension: 43mm HMAS™ cartridge fork with spring-preload adjustability
  • Rear suspension: Pro-Link HMAS™ single-shock with spring-preload, compression- and rebound-damping adjustability
  • Front brake: Linked Braking System; dual full-floating discs with three-piston calipers
  • Rear brake: Linked Braking System; single-disc with three-piston caliper
  • Front tire 120/70ZR-17 radial
  • Rear tire: 180/55ZR-17 radial
  • Wheelbase: 1458mm (57.4 in.)
  • Seat height: 805mm (31.7 in.)
  • Dry weight: 214 kg (472 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 22 liters

2004

2004 Honda VRF800FI
2004 Honda VRF800FI
2004 Honda VRF800FI
2004 Honda VRF800FI



2004 Interceptor 800

  • Engine Type: 781cc liquid-cooled 90-degree V-4
  • Bore and Stroke: 72.0mm x 48.0mm
  • Compression Ratio: 11.6:1
  • Valve Train: VTEC DOHC; four valves per cylinder
  • Carburetion: Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with automatic enricher circuit
  • Ignition: Computer-controlled digital with three-dimensional mapping and electronic advance
  • Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed
  • Final Drive: #530 O-ring-sealed chain
  • Front Suspension: 43.0mm HMAS cartridge fork with spring-preload adjustability; 4.3-inch travel
  • Rear Suspension: Pro Arm single-side swingarm with Pro-Link single HMAS gas-charged shock with seven-position spring-preload and rebound-damping adjustability; 4.7-inch travel
  • Front Brakes: Dual full-floating 296.0mm discs with LBS three-piston calipers
  • Rear Brake: Single 256.0mm disc with LBS three-piston caliper
  • Front Tire: 120/70ZR-17 radial
  • Rear Tire: 180/55ZR-17 radial
  • Rake: 25.5 degrees
  • Trail: 95.0mm (3.74 inches)
  • Wheelbase: 57.4 inches
  • Seat Height: 31.7 inches
  • Dry Weight: 472.0 pounds
  • Fuel Capacity: 5.8 gallons, including 0.8-gallon reserve
  • Emissions: This model meets CARB 2008 emissions standards.
  • Available Colors: Asphalt, Red
  • Model ID: VFR800FI
  • Warranty: 1 year

In 2004, hazards light were made available to the VFR. And in addition to Italian Red, Asphalt Black (also known as Gunpowder Matte Black) was also an available color option (in the US and Canada only).

2005

2005 Honda VRF800FI



2005 Interceptor 800

  • Engine Type: 781cc liquid-cooled 90-degree V-4
  • Bore and Stroke: 72.0mm x 48.0mm
  • Compression Ratio: 11.6:1
  • Valve Train: VTEC DOHC; four valves per cylinder
  • Carburetion: Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with automatic enricher circuit
  • Ignition: Computer-controlled digital with three-dimensional mapping and electronic advance
  • Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed
  • Final Drive: #530 O-ring-sealed chain
  • Front Suspension: 43.0mm HMAS cartridge fork with spring-preload adjustability; 4.3-inch travel
  • Rear Suspension: Pro Arm single-side swingarm with Pro-Link single HMAS gas-charged shock with seven-position spring-preload and rebound-damping adjustability; 4.7-inch travel
  • Front Brakes: Dual full-floating 296.0mm discs with LBS three-piston calipers
  • Rear Brake: Single 256.0mm disc with LBS three-piston caliper
  • Front Tire: 120/70ZR-17 radial
  • Rear Tire: 180/55ZR-17 radial
  • Rake: 25.5 degrees
  • Trail: 95.0mm (3.74 inches)
  • Wheelbase: 57.4 inches
  • Seat Height: 31.7 inches
  • Dry Weight: 472 pounds
  • Fuel Capacity: 5.8 gallons, including 0.8-gallon reserve
  • Emissions: This model meets CARB 2008 emissions standards.
  • Available Colors: Light Silver Metallic, Red
  • Model ID: VFR800FI
  • Warranty: 1 year

The available colors were Winning Red (changed from Italian Red) and Digital Silver.

2006

2006 Honda VFR800FI in Black
2006 Honda VFR800FI in Black
2006 Honda VFR800FI in Black
2006 Honda VFR800FI in Black
2006 Honda VFR800FI in Black
2006 Honda VFR800FI in Black


Several changes were made to the 2006 model over previous model years. There were new fuel injecters (inherited from the CBR1000), polished clutch and brake master cylinders, (Europeon-style) clear turn signal lenses both front and rear, and a new ECU which lowered the VTEC engagement point to 6400 RPM.

Perhaps one of the most striking changes to the VFR was that red was no longer a color option. The US and Canadian markets would only get Pearl Black (also known as Pearl Cosmic Black) and Pearl white, while Europe would get Pearl Black and Candy Dark Red (also known as Candy Glory Red, burgendy, or wine red).

2006 Honda VFR800FI in Pearl White


The Pearl Black is sometime referred to as Bass Boat Black, while the Pearl White is called Stormtropper White

2007

2006 Honda VFR800FI in Candy Red
2007 Honda VFR800 in Red
2006 Honda VFR800FI in 25th Anniversary Colors


2008

2008 Honda Interceptor in Silver


It was back to 1982 that the VF first made it's début. In 1983, the Interceptor badge is used for the first time. And in 1986, the VFR is introduced.

See also

External links

Honda
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